Letter to the Editor on Telemarketing

August 15, 2012

To the Editor:

Over the years, I have spoken with my constituents and found that telemarketing calls are a constant annoyance. I still have yet to hear of anyone who likes them. Sometimes it is amazing the amount of these robo-calls I receive when I am at home. New York State and the federal government have laws to limit the number of these calls but companies simply figure out ways to get around them.

Governor Cuomo just signed legislation that we passed in the legislature to reduce bothersome telemarketing by prohibiting calls that have prerecorded messages. Consumers can still receive prerecorded messages if they wish and have given their consent. Telemarketers are now required to provide consumers with the option to put their phone number on a do-not-call list. No longer can they claim they cannot put you on a do-not-call list.

All telemarketers, both in state and out of state, must register with the NYS Department of State and can have their registration suspended or revoked if they break the law.

While I believe that the law should have gone further to ban robo-calls from elected officials and those running for office, federal regulations govern this type of robo-call. However, this new state law takes a step in the right direction.